Treasures of the Outer Banks – Details, episodes & analysis

Barbara Pardue is a local historian and runs a Facebook page called, Northern Outer Banks History. Her blood lines run deep on the Northern Outer Banks and her passion for the history is unmatched. She was first bitten by the history bug by a grandfather who shared numerous stories and this led to her own, personal research. She started the Facebook page to share this knowledge and research with her family.

In this interview, Barbara shares stories of murder, gold bars, brothels, a Revolutionary hero, Blackbeard, the Ash Wednesday Storm, and more. Before we sat down and recorded, Barbara was nice enough to give me a quick tour of the area where she lives in Swan Beach. She showed me where the Currituck Inlet used to be, where the L.R. White Summer Hotel once stood, and where she lives when she’s in town. These places are located on private property so I was privileged to see them in-person.

Funny side note: Before Barbara and I started the recording we were getting to know each other and we found out we both used to live in the same area of Prince George’s County in Maryland. As I was walking out of the restaurant the manager said he heard me talking about Prince George’s County and he told me he was from Bowie, which is also in PG County. I should mention we were the only three people in the restaurant when we showed up. And we’re all from PG County. What are the chances?

Big thanks to Barbara Pardue for sitting down with me. You can find her on Facebook at Northern Outer Banks History.

This is episode #045 and I sat down with local, award-winning DJ, John Harper. John has been an Outer Banks DJ since 1985. His career has evolved over the decades and he currently has a show on the streaming broadcast, Radio Free Outer Banks. He also uses his skills and knowledge for weddings and writing in some of the local publications. In this episode we talk about radio history on the Outer Banks, where the industry is presently, where it’s going, and more. If you want to check out his services you can find him online at www.JohnHarperDJ.com And if you want to listen to his show it’s at 11am on Saturdays at Radio Free Outer Banks on your streaming device. http://www.radiofreeouterbanks.com/

Clark Twiddy discusses his book, Outer Banks Visionaries: Building North Carolina's Oceanfront. Twiddy researched and interviewed the people that helped turn the Outer Banks from a sleepy, ocean outpost, to the successful destination it has become today.

Marc Corbett is an explorer and adventurer. He dives shipwrecks adjacent to the Outer Banks. Known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic, these waters are difficult to dive due to wind, waves, and currents. He's dived many of the popular wrecks here and he continues a quest to explore new dives.

Joan Collins talks about the Pea Island Life Saving Station and the legacy left behind by the brave crew.

Rebecca Prince-Myers is the owner of VusicOBX which books and organizes concerts on the Outer Banks.

Not related to the Outer Banks, I just wanted to share my experience at the Springsteen Concert in March.

Julie Moye is the founder and owner of KDH Cooperative Gallery and Studios. She opened the gallery 22 years ago and has seen the Outer Banks art community grow and prosper.

I share my personal journey of becoming a very amateur paddleboarder on the Outer Banks.

Noah Snyder is an Outer Banks local who competed for several years as a professional surfer. He's still very active in the community as a surfer, gym owner, and artist. You can find him at https://www.momentumobx.com and https://www.noahsnyderart.com.

Cover photo by Ryan Rhodes.